Asminor planet discoveries are confirmed, they are given a permanent number by theIAU'sMinor Planet Center (MPC), and the discoverers can then submit names for them, following the IAU'snaming conventions. The list below concerns those minor planets in the specified number-range that have received names, and explains the meanings of those names.
Based onPaul Herget'sThe Names of the Minor Planets,[6] Schmadel also researched the unclear origin of numerous asteroids, most of which had been named prior to World War II. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain: SBDB New namings may only beadded to this list below after official publication as the preannouncement of names is condemned.[7] The WGSBN publishes a comprehensive guideline for the naming rules of non-cometary small Solar System bodies.[8]
Marie Marsina (born 1952) currently serves as the President of the National Art League in New York City and as Vice President of the Douglaston Civic Association. She is a graduate of Pace University's Lubin School of Business.
Sylvestre (Sly) Maurice (born 1966), a planetary astronomer specialized in lunar and Martian exploration. He has been a lead-developer of Martian rover instruments.
Steve Irwin (1962–2006), an Australian zookeeper and conservationist, known for his TV-seriesThe Crocodile Hunter. "Crikey!", was his signature phrase.
Jean-Claude Merlin (born 1954), French astronomer, founder-president of the Burgundy Astronomical Society (French:Société astronomique de Bourgogne) anddiscoverer of minor planets. "Nilrem" is "Merlin" backwards, because of pre-existing2598 Merlin.